Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-06-17

Now still greater caution became neces-
sary; and, to avoid encounter with stray
glers and rowing "contrabands however
intelligent-we followed the natural de-
pressions which tended toward the small
creeks which in hood-time poured their
fullness into the Cumberland River.
Frequent halts We're made, that we might
carefully observe each hilltop in front OF
US, as we'll as to listen for hoof- strokes or
other indications of the enemy's presence.
The heavens were overcast with threat
enlng clouds, and every sign promised a
heavy rainfall at an early hour.
If we can gain the turnpike which
leads from Nashville to Triune before the
rain begins, we may hope Tor the accom-
plishment of our mission in time to retire
from our pelilous position to one of COM
parative safety, thence to NIurfreesboro
"to report at six o'clock in the morning."
Remember these" (the surgeons instru-
mentsl care better than capture"
We did not go there to be captured,
consequently every precaution for the
avoidance of such catastrophe was closely
observed.
At about eight hundred yards from our
present position ran the pike which we de-
sired to reach.
From this point we might return; for to
cross the turnpike would result only in in
tensifying the danger of our position, as we
would not only be required to continue
guard against meeting rowing bodies of the
enemy, but we must also be doubly careful
against encounte1ing the troops which
would be sent around Rosecrans' left I'M
der Major Mccain.
\ ravine, running parallel with the turn
pike at about two hundred yards distance,
furnished cover for our troop.
From this ravine two dismounted men
We're led toward the turnpike. We were
soon convinced that movement was in
progress. and fastened to the vicinity of
the road, along the edge of which dense
growth Of cedars furnished ample cover for
our sale approach.
The weary teamsters, all unsuspecting
the proximity of the hated guerrillas, drove
their iaded teams listlessly along, mutter-
ing drowsy curses upon the contingencies
Of war, which SO relentlessly urged upon
them doubly hazardous duty.
Under the shade of the friendly cedars
we lay quietly and counted the wagons
Which We're bearing supplies to the men
whom the doughty Rosecrans was about to
hurl upon Braggs command, which was
already exhausted by repeated changes of
position.
Twenty-Five agons-surely this is not
all?
| No, others are at hand, and-we are soon
convinced that burdens heavier than COM
mlssary wagons are being borne to the front.
Here are field batteries. ammunition
wagons, and caissons i'll heterogeneous
mass-pushing ahead to pass the subsist-
ance wagons; for General Rosecrans feels
the want of more artillery on his left wing.
These are followed by forage wagons,
and an occasional sutler who is urged for
ward, in spite of rain and the perils OF a
midnight move, in the hope of turning an
honest penny.
What all opportunity is here presented to
an entelprising officer who is DESTROYS of
delaying supplies for the enemy! But,
Jerusalem, here comes a regiment of
cavalry!
They are just opposite to us when
Halt" rings out in a clear, manly voice.
| An officer dismounts and exclaims: I'm
pretty we'll tired out, as I have been in the
saddle since two o'clock this morning."
| What time have you, Captain?"
| Twenty minutes past ten, Colonel"
| We'll, as we must remain here till the
next train closes up, I'll take seat on this
stone. It's too convenient and inviting to
be neglected"
trains nearer to the front, for they are in no
danger from Bragg"
"Braxton seems more intent on a master
ly retreat, such as he made after the bat
tie at Per1yville, KY, than upon winning
good fight"
"But, I'd hate to see Rosey get Bragg
into corner, where he couldn't run, for
it's my opinion he'd make the fur fly; and,
if ne had the men, he'd at least pluck some
OF the leaves from our Roses wreath"
But there comes the train and we must
move"
"Thank fortune, this is the last train for
tonight, as I'm worn out"
"Forward."
And thus the facetious Colonel rode off
through the gloom, little dreaming that he
had spent the last ten minutes within reach
of the muzZles of three good Colts re-
yolvers, directed by as many good shots!
After this last train had passed our po-
sition, and its escort had moved out of
hearing, we hurried back to our comrades,
who had been impatiently, anxiously,
awaiting our return.
The command, fright about-march, +"
was given, and we began to retrace our
steps.
We had ridden several miles, when we
concluded to take the dirt road Crossed
during our adyance) which led diagonally
to and crossed the Lewisburg turnpike at
a point between MIR. Browns and Colonel
Aliens position-much nearer to the latter
from which We were yet some miles dis
tant.
This road was narrow, and from its
rough condition we imagined that the
enemy was unlikely to use it for any reason.
We had taken the road, and had pro-
ceeded to a point within few hundred
yards of its intersection by the turnpike,
when We halted to reconnoiter.
On the pike body Of cavalry was OBJ
served to be carefully feeling it's way
toward Colonel Aliens position.
Surprising this troop to be part of
Colonel AS command returning from a
reconnaissance, we continued to advance,
still cautiously, trusting that the noise
made by the hoof- strokes of their own
horses on the macadamized road would
conceal our approach.
We had reached a depression which
crossed the dirt road at about fifty yards
from the turnpike, when the rear guard of
the force in our front halted.
Affairs We're becoming interesting, and
were destined to grow more and more so
at no distant period, for flash OF light
ming not only revealed our presence to the
troops in our front, but at the same time
we were made aware Of the proximity of a
f7.nn Two